Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The men of the 2/26th Battalion were on their way to Singapore. By 1400 hours on the 30th July 1941 the troops had embarked on HMT EE (The Marnix Van Sint Algdegonde) at Port Melbourne. They were served their mid-day meal and the ship was cruising in Port Phillip Bay waiting for the convoy. The weather was fine and the sea smooth.
At 1600 hours on the 31st July 1941 the “EE” contacted two other vessels of the convoy and the escort. A general routine was carried out of boat drill, an issue of clothing, and PT. When the troops left Bathurst they were in Winter Dress which would not be suitable in Singapore.
On the 1st August 1941 the usual training was carried out, PT, drill, lectures, general cleaning up of the ship. It was now that it was realised that the ship was very much overcrowded. There was no sign of land or any other vessels. The weather was fine, the sea moderate, the course was west. The troops were settling down although there were some cases of seasickness. Overcrowding was to be expected because on board these ships in the convoy were also members of – 2/29th Battalion and 1st Reinforcements; Support Troops of Signals, A.A.S.C, 2/10th Field Ambulance, 22 RAAF Personnel; 3 NZ Naval Personnel.
On the 2nd August 1941 the troops were more comfortably settled and there were not as many cases of seasickness. However mumps were breaking out, with approximately 40 cases reported. The weather was fine in the morning and it rained in the afternoon. There was a fresh NW wind, and the sea was moderate.
On Sunday the 3rd August 1941, apart from the general routine a Divine Service was held, and the rest of the day was spent resting and letter writing. Also there were more cases of mumps admitted to the Ship’s Hospital. There was a NW squally wind and the sea was rough. The Ship’s speed was 13 knots. A routine order issued by the Commander of the 2/26th Battalion stated “the troops are to be advised that correspondence which contains matters relevant to military operation or other security information will result in extensive censoring, thus causing letters to become disjointed and unsatisfactory to addressee”.
The 4th of August 1941 was one of routine which included keeping the toilets and ablutions blocks clean. Each battalion was responsible for their men and the Deck Officer did daily inspections. From the Commanding Officer “it is impressed on all troops on board that the maintenance of strict hygiene is a personal responsibility”. The same applied to the accommodation. “Any person violating these instructions would be severely dealt with”. There were still cases of mumps being reported and it was anticipated that they would arrive at the next Port of Call on Wednesday, 6th August. The sea was smooth, the weather fine with a light NW wind.
On the 5th August the sea was smooth and the weather fine. The troops were keeping fit with P & R Training and drill.
On the 6th August at 0700 hours land was sighted on the starboard quarter. They were passing Rottnest Island off Freemantle. The sea was smooth, weather fine and the wind calm. At 1000 hours the pilot came aboard and the ship proceeded towards Freemantle Harbour. The ship was flying a yellow flag (this indicated there was disease on board, which in this case was mumps). Also there was one case of cebro-spinal meningitis on board. Mails were taken on board and despatched. Lighters came alongside to re-provision the ship, (a lighter is a flat bottomed barge used to transfer goods to and from a moored ship).
On the 7th August the ship was berthed at 0630 hours and the troops were up for PT, LMG (Bren Gun) Training, and Lectures in Gas. At 1300 hours all ranks, except those on duty, were given leave until 2350 hours.
Next morning, 8th August, at 0630 hours Reveille Roll revealed 6 men of the 2/26th AWL. The ship sailed at 1000 hours, when they picked up the convoy and escort and proceeded to sea. The sea was rough, with a southerly wind which was strong and squally.
The 9th August it was the usual routine as per the training syllabus. A light westerly wind was blowing and the seas were slight. Today was washing day, weather permitting. Certain times were allocated on each deck, and owing to limited time and space available it is suggested that washing be confined to underclothes and socks.
Sunday 10th August, was a day of organised rest, reading and letter writing. A Divine Service was held. There was a slight wind from the west and the seas were slight.
The 11th August was a very busy day. The general routine consisted of boat station drill, P & R Training, weapon training, lectures and training films. And more washing space and time was allotted. There was a slight south-easterly wind and the weather turned hot and humid. The seas were slight. On this day the ship was steering a zig-zag course owing to the possibility of submarines. All ranks were warned again that smoking was not allowed between decks, and that all forms of gambling must be stopped when found in progress. Such games were Dice, Two-Up, Crown & Anchor.
On the 12 August it was another day of general routine. On the 13th August land was sighted – Krakatoa Island off the coast of Java. The ship entered the Sunda Straits between Java and Sumatra. There was a light easterly wind, the weather was fine and the sea smooth.
There was a change of course on 13th. August. The ship was proceeding North by East along the coast of Sumatra. It was the usual routine and a concert on C Deck. On the 14th August it was the same course. There was a calm wind, seas smooth and it was very hot and humid.
The “EE” arrived in Keppel Harbour, Singapore on the 15th August. The ship berthed and Brigadier Maxwell, Commander 27 Aust Inf Brigade, came on board. At 1000 hours disembarkation commenced and was completed by 1200 hours. The unit moved to Wavell Camp. The weather was warm, with a heavy rainstorm.
Every day the H.M.T. EE Daily News Sheet came out. In our collection of memorabilia is the edition for Monday August 4, 1941. The paper is now in a frail condition, but readable. On Page 1 –
Here we are again! Today with a calmer sea and less sea sickness among our volunteer compositors we are able to present a better job – at least, we think it is. As the voyage goes on we hope to make improvement every day – weather permitting, of course.

SHIPSPARS – Easily the most exciting event of the voyage so far occurred at 1500 hrs today when our sister ship (H.M.T. FF – Johan Van Olden Barnevelt) closed in and the combined bands of the troops on board played several numbers. The bands on our ship replied, and what with waving and cheering one to the other, the spirits of the boys rose high above the now gone, we hope, seasick days. The whole ceremony was commenced when our ship ran up the signal in good old Nelson style: Strike up the band.
Breathes there a man with soul so dead
Who never to himself hath said:
“You are my own, my native sea,
And I have given ALL to thee”.

It was in the sgts’ smokeroom. A ship’s officer came in for a glass before turning in. He sat with an unlighted cigarette in his mouth, snapped his fingers and a boy hurried forward with a cigarette lighter already ablaze. One of the Gallopers W.O.’s though he would try the trick. But the boy merely sauntered to the counter and brought the W.O a couple of boxes of matches.
Rumour says we’ll get some leave
At our first port of call.
If we do, and there’s a pay,
Just guess who’ll get it all.

Said a “Second to None” whose first sea-trip this is – “I know Brittannia rules the waves but I wish to hell she’d rule ‘em straighter”.

He came from the land of bananas,
Had curls from the day he was born;
Then he boarded our good ship – EE
And now the poor *** is shorn.

Personality of the ship so far, in the opinion of the boys, is “Boy Teamis”, better known by his nickname, Jim Davidson. The music he gets out of his gojang as he summons the officers or sergeants to mess raises a cheer whenever he visits E deck. “Teamis” has learned snatches from all our bugle calls and his worries that he sometimes dongs in a defaulters’ call when the sergeants meal is ready.

FROM HOME
The race results from Moorefield (Sydney) and Flemington (Melbourne) for last Saturdays races. Also a par about 3 RAAF men saved by parachutes after 2 training planes collided.

AN ANNIVERSARY
Today is August 4, 1941. It was on August 4, 1914 that Great Britain declared war on Germany and the four years of the Great War followed. That was the war to end wars; but today the history is almost two years of further fighting against Germany has been chronicles. May this be the last time we have to help subdue Germany.

Page 2 contains bits and pieces under the heading of Overseas News, mainly European countries. Also on Page 2 are the signatures of some men of the 2/26th.
The signatures were collected by QX10763 Private James Smith.



Source: The Unit Diary of the 2/26 Bn ( 8/8/1941-13/8/41)
Source: Copy of Newsletter in the Smith Family Collection

2017 Joyce Penman(Smith)

James Smith was born on the 1st May 1903 in Glasgow, Scotland and was the first born of Archibald Farquharson Nicol Smith and Janet Wood Smith (m.s. Dalglish). They also had a daughter Jane Logan Smith and another son John Dalglish Smith.
The Smith Family migrated to Australia in 1911. They leased land at Stalworth, Via Wondai, Queensland and took up possession in February 1912. From being a railway guard and a dressmaker they became pioneer farmers, as the land had only been opened up in 1910.
James had some schooling in Glasgow and when he arrived in Stalworth his schooling was “under the trees”. It didn’t take the pioneers long to build a school, and James continued his education at the Abbeywood State School.
After James left school he found employment as a labourer on farms in the district. He then became a grocer. He married Agnes Grace Ryalls in 1933 and they had 3 children, Joyce, Keith and Marie.
He enlisted in the AIF in WW2 in July 1940. His war service included being a prisoner of war in Singapore for 3½ years. When he was discharged in 1946 he returned to his job in the grocery store and his youngest son Barry was born. In 1951 he, in partnership with another returned man, bought the grocery store and they owned it for 14 years. Although things were tough in a grocery store in a small country town James was able to provide for his family and give them a good education. In the very lean times he grew peanuts on a piece of leased land.
James was a very community minded man and was involved in sporting bodies, the Chamber of Commerce, the Hall Committee, and the Ambulance Centre in the town of Proston. He spent 10 years as the local member on the Wondai Shire Council and he was able to do much good for his town
He was a member of the RSL for nearly 50 years, and a member of The Qld POWs Assn (through which he kept up with many of his army mates). He always wore his “Returned from Active Service” badge on important occasions, including at his 90th Birthday celebration.
James and Agnes retired to Redcliffe In 1964, and they retained their interest in Proston, going back to visit many times. At the time they were Patron and Patroness of the Proston Golf Club.
As a Mason of many years (he joined in 1928) James spent the next 20 years working tirelessly as a volunteer at the Masonic Homes, Sandgate.

From Masonic Newsletters we learn of Jim’s work at the Masonic Home, at Sandgate –
July 1970 - “You know”, says Jim, “I had been a Mason for around 40 years, and it wasn’t until I came to live round these parts I realised what a mighty endeavour the Sandgate Homes are”. He didn’t add what a mighty job he has done these last few years to help. Jim is R.W. Bro. J Smith of the Duke of Strathearn (Wondai), foundation Master of Proston, foundation member of Wondai Chapter of the Royal Arch, a P.J.G.W., and a volunteer who comes along to tie up all sorts of the inevitable loose ends. The other week the Homes presented to him a Life Governor’s Jewel in appreciation.
March 1972 – A stalwart at the Homes was honoured by the Board at the last monthly meeting. R.W. Bro. J Smith was elevated to Life Vice President of the Aged Masons, Widows and Orphans’ Fund. For some years Jim has been of great assistance in many ways. His name will ring a bell for many who are Changi veterans.
July 1985 - Nomination For Board Of Benevolence Jewel In Favour Of R.W. Bro. James Smith It reads in part:-
R.W. Bro. James Smith has been a constant and tireless worker in a voluntary capacity at the Freemasons Homes since 1965. He came to the Homes one day a week to do voluntary work. In 1966 he increased his attendance from one day to four days per week and even sometimes five. It is impossible to record all the duties he carried out during those years. He used to arrive at the Homes each morning at 5am and his first job was an Emu Parade. He used to walk all round the Complex with an old 56lb. onion bag picking up bottles, papers and all rubbish within the grounds and after assuring that the grounds were tidy he then went into the kitchen and assisted the cook with the cooking of porridge and toast for breakfast. On account of his age (81 years) and possibly due to the effect of his having been a POW, he has had to ease up. He can still be seen doing odd jobs in the Nursing Home each day. As I have previously stated heavy work is now beyond Jim Smith, but he is still able to do light work and delights in helping those not so fortunate. I cannot speak too highly of him and of his past efforts for he is one of the old brigade who did so much in this Home for so many in the years gone by”.

After the war James Smith had his health problems, as a result of being a POW, but it did not stop him from living a very full life. When we cleaned out his house after his death there was mountains of correspondence to and from the Repatriation Department (Department of Veteran Affairs) and newspaper articles written about POWs. He lost his wife Agnes in 1975, and he married again a couple of years later.

James Smith died in 1995, aged 92 years, from natural causes, and is buried in the Redcliffe Cemetery, Redcliffe, Queensland.

2017 Joyce Penman (Smith)